National Gratitude Month in November is an ideal time to focus on small gestures with big impact when it comes to workplace wellbeing. In fact, it’s a reminder how everyday acts of kindness, like saying “thank you” or offering a helping hand, reduce stress and build stronger teams.
While workplace wellbeing initiatives like flexible working are important, simple gestures of appreciation and support go beyond busting stress and improving mental health. Moreover, expressing gratitude can uplift physical health, reduce anxiety, and even enhance sleep quality!
It’s little wonder prioritising kindness is key to flourishing workplaces, for many and varied reasons.
How Small Gestures Positively Impact Workplace Wellbeing
Kindness doesn’t call for dramatic, grand actions. On the contrary, you can welcome it into your workplace daily every time you:
- Say “Thank You” – Acknowledging someone’s efforts goes a long way. And sharing your gratitude with another person’s manager creates even more impact.
- Offer Help – Jumping in to assist, even when it’s not your responsibility, builds camaraderie and breaks down barriers between teams.
- Celebrate Wins – Recognising small and large achievements boosts morale and promotes team spirit.
Consequently, team members are less stressed and more engaged when they feel appreciated. This is why a culture of kindness strengthens team dynamics, besides promoting individual wellbeing.
So, what simple initiatives can you initiate to help optimise a supportive and collaborative workplace?
Gratitude in Action
Why not take the time this National Gratitude Month to embed a few daily acts of appreciation into your routine? For example:
- Start a Gratitude Wall – Nominate an unused wall space where team members can publicly acknowledge each other’s contributions.
- Journal – Enable the gratitude to flow by encouraging employees to reflect on positives during the same 10 minutes every day.
- Send Thank You Notes – A handwritten or digital thank you note can brighten someone’s day and reinforce a sense of belonging. How about making it a monthly happening everybody can get involved with?
In addition, it’s a prime time to boost staff engagement and satisfaction by hosting a workplace wellbeing workshop to benefit both individuals and the broader business.
Leverage Workplace Wellbeing for Better Business
Kindness in the workplace is more than a nicety. Legal AI and technology giant Thomson Reuters reflect in their recent articleA season of thanks: The power of gratitude in the workplace how it’s an essential part of a thriving workplace, stating: “At a time when employee retention is at a premium, your staff or colleagues are more likely to stay put when they feel recognised and appreciated.”
Boosted retention, anybody?
Why procrastinate? Start planning today to make this National Gratitude Month a turning point for your team’s workplace wellbeing journey.
Looking to bring kindness to the forefront? Check out our following corporate wellbeing workshops:
- Connection: Building Meaningful Relationships – Learn how to go beyond small talk and build stronger, more meaningful connections in your teams.
- Thrive Not Survive – Discover the five elements of our Thrive approach to help your team exceed their potential and truly advance.
All Stress Matters programmes and wellbeing workshops combine creating a positive atmosphere with achieving better business results. So, you’ll see stronger team collaboration, less stress, and more productivity as a result of cultivating appreciation and support.
